3. Thematic Analysis

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we think about thematic analysis, focusing in particular on: (i) Braun and Clarke’s 2006 reflexive thematic analysis; (ii) the application of thematic analysis to data types like surveys and media data; (iii) understanding a theme as being a recognition of what is key to consider and meaningful in the analysis; (iv) three key choices to make in reflexive thematic analysis being theoretical position, deductive or inductive approach, and semantic or latent coding; (v) the six phases of reflexive thematic analysis being familiarisation, coding, initial theme generation, developing and reviewing themes, defining and naming themes, and writing up.

Course

In this course, Dr Philippa Carr (University of the West of England) explores qualitative methods. In the first lecture, we think about what qualitative methods are and how they differ from quantitative methods. In the second lecture, we think about theoretical frameworks and how researchers can take different theoretical perspectives. In the third lecture, we think about thematic analysis, specifically the six stages of Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Next, we think about ethics and data collection, as well as reviewing Sullivan and Gibson’s ‘qualitative kite’. In the fifth and final lecture, we think about how to apply qualitative methods, focusing on social influence and memory.

Lecturer

Dr Philippa Carr is a senior lecturer in qualitative research methods in the Department of Applied Sciences at the University of the West of England. Dr Carr’s research interests are in how the media presents wealth inequality and how public arguments for extreme wealth are used to legitimise inequality. Some of Dr Carr’s recent publications include '‘You come back fighting. That’s what gives you the drive to achieve’: The extraordinary psychological construction of the super-rich in entertainment documentaries' (2021) and 'Getting what you deserve?' (2022).